About Cappadocia

Historical background

Cappadocia’s history is not only fascinating because of the ongoing movement of Empires it has witnessed over the centuries but also because of its unique natural geological formations that have become so distinct with time they now attract thousands of tourists every year.

Besides being governed by independent rulers (mostly feudal aristocrats), Cappadocia came under the control of many important, and diverse Empires that played major roles in history, starting from the Hittites during the Bronze Age to the Ottoman Empire until the end of the First World War.

During the Bronze Age, until the late 6th century Cappadocia was under control of the Hittite Empire, and then saw a number of independent rulers, living in peace even after Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire.

After a series of civil disagreements and dethronings Cappadocia finally became a province of the Roman Empire in 17 AD under the emperor Tiberius, and even later it came under the Byzantines.

When Christianity was a persecuted religion many underground cities were built in Cappadocia as hiding places, and the region actually became, with time, an important centre for the growth of Christianity. Later during the Byzantines it became an important defense zone against both the Sassanids (224-651) and later the Arab Conquests in the late seventh century.

With its proximity to Armenia Cappadocia saw the migration of many Armenians into its region, and when it finally capitulated to the Muslim Seljuks (who ruled over Syria and Egypt) in the 12th century the population of Cappadocia started taking on a new shape as an Anatolian population with some converting to Islam as well. When the Seljuks were finally defeated Cappadocia came under Ottoman rule, and became, after its disintegration at the end of World War One part of the Turkish state.

Cappadocia is therefore a unique region in Turkey that went from hiding Christians, to becoming one of its principal exponents, to then come under Turkish Muslim influence.

But what about the landscape?

Although its historical significance with its numerous cultural transitions is fascinating, the landscape of Cappadocia, what people mainly come to see, has a history of its own. As it saw a constant change of civilizations Cappadocia was also subject to a constant climate change which mainly contributed to the surreal shapes we now seek to explore. Ever since the beginning of time during the tertiary geological periods Cappadocia’s landscape saw the rising of the cones that we now call ‘Ferry Chimneys’ because of the volcanic activities coming from the surrounding Taurus mountains. The cones made by the surfacing of magma became a sort of chain of volcanoes and changed the landscape of the region as a whole.

With the constant change of climate, from extreme heat, to rain and snow, the formation of these rocks is easily subjected to change. Although the surface of the rocks is very hard the layers under are smoother thus permitting the construction of houses in the rocks, which is now the typical aspect of the cities in the Cappadocia region. It is a matter of fact the landscape played a significant role during the Christian persecutions, permitting the construction of hidden underground cities, still intact today attracting thousands of history/archeology fanatics.